Do you suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome?

Dry eye symptoms can range from a scratchy or gritty feeling in the eye to a burning or stinging sensation that comes and goes or remains constant.  Other symptoms include watering eyes, red eyes, or blurred vision that clears up when you blink and then goes back blurry a few seconds after.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should have your eyes examined by an Ophthalmologist.

Sometimes certain medications can trigger dry eye, especially antihistamines found in most allergy/sinus medications and sleep aids. 

There are several ways to try to treat dry eye.  It is believed that adding fish oil, flax oil, or krill oil to the diet can help with dryness.  Some patients will find relief just from using over-the-counter artificial tears. Others may benefit more from a prescription eye drop called RESTASIS®.  

RESTASIS® is a true prescription therapy for dry eye due to decreased tear production.  RESTASIS® unlike artificial tears, can help you produce more of your own tears.  While waiting for the benefits of RESTASIS® to begin, patients are encouraged to continue using artificial tears, as frequently as needed.  Continued use of RESTASIS® may help decrease the need for artificial tears over time.  The most common side effect with RESTASIS® is a burning sensation.  Patients usually will see a significant improvement in tear production after using RESTASIS® for at least 1 month.  Dry eye due to decreased tear production is a chronic disease, so treating it requires your long-term commitment- and that means using your RESTASIS® everyday.  The typical dose is 1 drop in each eye, twice per day.

If dry eye is severe, and you have tried other methods, i.e., artificial tears or RESTASIS® prescription eye drops, your  eye doctor may recommend punctal plugs.   Punctal plugs are tiny, biocompatible devices inserted into tear ducts to block drainage. This increases the eye's tear film and surface moisture to relieve dry eyes.  Also known as punctum plugs, lacrimal plugs or occluders, these devices often are no larger than a grain of rice.  Punctal plugs usually are considered when non-prescription or prescription eye drops fail to relieve your dry eye condition.

Two general types of tear duct plugs are:

• Semi-permanent, typically made of long-lasting materials such as silicone.
• Dissolvable, made of materials such as collagen that the body eventually absorbs.

Your Ophthalmologist will determine which type of plug would be best for you.  If you would like for Dr. Bogart to examine your eyes for Dry Eye Syndrome or if you have further questions regarding this or other eye conditions/diseases, please call our office at:  803-794-0000.